Tribute to a War Dog (Chapter III)

It's been over a month now, since I lost my very best friend.

The one I failed to protect up until the end.

I miss him so much it kills me. It really crushed my heart.

He was always beside me, right from the very start.

A lot of things have happened that I just don’t understand.

I will try to explain it the best way that I can.

There was this box; in it was Mike’s smell.

And a framed picture of him, that I knew all too well.

Draped over that box was an American flag.

And men in fancy suits, about Mike they would brag.

I heard a lot of whispers, as they walked by me.

Like that must have been his dog. Well that’s pretty plain to see!

A lot of sad music was played on that day.

Then a man with lots of stripes had something to say.

On the front row was the family of Mike.

And one pretty lady, that he called his wife.

I met her one time. She came down to the base.

She looks different now with tears on her face.

There is something about her that looks a bit funny.

The first time I met her, there was no bump on her tummy.

I sat with the family, right by his wife,

as they all reminisced about Mike’s life.

I felt Mike’s presence around his wife that day.

Then we all bowed our heads and started to pray.

Then something happened that I don't understand.

Seven men appeared with guns in their hands.

Twenty-one shots went in the air that day.

It scared me so bad; I wanted to run away!

I guess that showed them. My war days were done.

Now I cringe every time I hear the sound of a gun.

I wonder what happens to me from here.

As we walked to the cars, I saw nothing but tears.

There goes Mike’s wife. I hate to see her leave.

Beside her, I felt Mike’s presence, inside of me.

Then you won't believe what happened that day.

How God intervened in a special way.

I heard his wife yell, “Can I please have the dog?”

A man in a suit said, “Let me check the laws.”

While the man in the suit was on his cell phone,

out of her purse, his wife pulled a Milk Bone.

The man said there is a lot of red tape, but that she could take me on.

I can’t believe this is happening, she is going to take me home!

The ride to her house was quiet. We had all been through so much.

She scratched me under my chin. I loved the feel of her touch.

Once we got home, she got out first. She said you wait right here.

She said something about another dog and a certain time of the year.

I didn't have a clue what she was talking about. I was just happy as could be.

To think I was with someone, who loved Mike as much as me!

Then I heard a dog barking. It was coming from behind a fence.

Then I caught this different smell; I haven't been the same since.

Then she yelled come on boy, and put a leash on me.

Then the barking behind the fence got louder. I could hear it but couldn't see.

Then the gate was open, and what a big surprise.

A beautiful female just like me was right before my eyes!

I sniffed her through the kennel she was in, then she growled at me.

Mike’s wife said “don't pay any attention to her, she's in heat and this is day three.”

Then she took me to my kennel it was really nice.

A house that looked like an igloo, but without all the ice.

“You two get acquainted”, she said, while I get you something to eat.”

Then she brought out two bowls of food, and marrow bones as treats.

As time went on, I adjusted. I really liked being in this place.

Each day Mike’s wife’s tummy got bigger, and there were less tears on her face.

I kept hearing talk about a baby, whenever her friends were around.

And lots of doctor visits, at an office that was downtown.

Then one night she came and got me, and put me in her van.

She called me her personal bodyguard, don' t mess with her, I'll bite you if I can!

She said she had to run real quick to a place she called the mall.

I just liked being with her. I'm a guard dog and always on call!

When we got there, I didn't like it. She went in all alone.

Left me in the van with the motor running, windows cracked and with a Milk Bone.

She said she would just be a second. I had heard that before.

Women never take just a second in a mall full of stores!

I just sat there and watched for her and I saw her come out of the store.

Then I saw a large man approach her, as I tried to get out of the door.

Then, I couldn't believe it, that man had her around the neck.

My God, I need to get to her. It is my job to protect.

I tried to squeeze through the window, as I heard her scream my name.

I have got to get to her, or she will never be the same.

I slammed my head into the window, hoping it would break.

Now he had her by the hair. Now two lives are at stake.

I stood up on the armrest, and you won't believe what I found.

My back foot hit the button that brought the window down!

I flew out of that window and headed straight for him.

Remembering all Mike had taught me, those nights in that big gym.

I lunged with my jaws wide open, and made a perfect strike.

He fell back and I was on top of him, in that dark parking lot that night.

Mike’s wife stood up as fast as she could and headed for the van.

Then she called 911, while I made minced meat of this man.

The police got there rather quickly, an ambulance came too.

They said she was lucky to have me. She could have been killed if I had not come through.

They took her to the doctor, and the baby was just fine.

He’s just wanting out of there. By the size of her tummy, she doesn't have much time.

Then an awesome thing happened, in the hospital that night.

She went into labor, and gave birth to little Mike!

I always felt bad about losing big Mike. I failed and didn't come through.

But now I get to make it up by protecting, his wife and Mike #2!

The bump on her belly has gone down now, since little Mike came into this world.

But now there’s another bump on a pretty lady, the one in the backyard I call "My Girl".

(Jerry Wayne Baldwin; from “This K-9 of Mine”;
Author's note: "Dedicated to All military personnel past or present on two legs or four! Thank you for your service!")

*****

I would like to thank Jerry Wayne Baldwin for his kind permission to publish his poems on my blog.

The book “This K-9 of Mine: Poetic short stories from a dog's point of view, plus a few from the owner's vantage point, too.” is available as Kindle version here.